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How to handle the fire aftermath

Fire's can bring a wave of emotions after a they burn through a home. Long after the flames and smoke have been extinguished. Families are still faced with the stress, fear, and uncertainty about the future of the home or property. So after the firefighters have put the flames to rest, it's good to know what and what not to do until SERVPRO of Society Hill comes in for the mitigation process. Here are some tips of what can be done before help arrives:

Limit movement in the area to prevent soot particles from spreading.

Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.

Place clean towels or or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery.

Do not wash walls or painted surfaces.

Do not shampoo carpet or upholstery.

Do not clean any electrical equipment.

So, before you risk causing more damage by attempting to clean up fire damage yourself, follow these steps and call the experts of SERVPRO of Society Hill.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

Christmas tree Fires can burn a home down in minutes! Also be safe when decorating with a real tree.

The holiday season is upon us and many people will be decorating there homes for this festive time of year. While these decorations are quite a site to see, they also come with some dangers. One of the biggest potential hazards is Christmas trees. A tree after it is cut needs to be properly watered to keep it from drying out. Even after a while a properly watered tree will eventually dry out. Soon after the holidays make sure you dispose of your tree properly, because this is when most fires occur. When going to sleep or leaving your home always make sure to unplug any lights on the tree. Most tree fires start because lights were left plugged in overnight or while away. Also make sure trees are a safe distance from any heat source such as space heaters, fire places, and any furnaces. Follow these tips to ensure that you have a safe and happy holidays! If disaster does happen to strike this holiday season, SERVPRO of Society Hill is one call away ready to respond!

Biohazard, Vandalism, and Crime Scene Cleanup

It may not be the prettiest or easiest jobs to do, but SERVPRO of Society Hill offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup and restoration for any type of property. Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can cause serious health issues for anyone that comes in contact, or is around them. If these contaminants are not taken care of properly, and removed they can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments. Equipped with the proper safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO of Society Hill will make sure unsafe environments are restored into clean, safe homes and business. SERVPRO also specializes in vandalism damage and cleanup. Here are a few do's and don'ts when dealing with them.

DO:

Record all damage and photograph when possible.

Hose or wash egg or other residue damage from building exterior as soon as possible.

Carefully vacuum glass particles from carpets and upholstery.

DON'T:

Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.

Discard broken or damaged pieces from porcelain, furniture or other contents that may be used for repair.

Operate damaged lamps or appliances.

All of these issues can be hard to deal with physically and emotionally. That's why SERVPRO is here is always ready to leave it "Like is never even happened."

Watch out for the water you can't see!

Did you know it only takes 1 to 2 inches of water to begin damaging your property? Any type of water leak no matter the size can turn into a much lager damage if not treated when discovered. Unseen water can soak through carpets, walls, and pool on sub-floors causing big problems over time. The faster water is removed, the less chance of possible serious damage. That's why SERVPRO of Society Hill is ready to spring into action anytime or day to prevent these damages. With the proper equipment and moisture measuring devices, the effected area is quickly and thoroughly dried. This is important to prevent secondary water damage from occurring. Water that is hidden can also contain bacteria and causes mold growth. This can cause rotting along with a big health hazard. A mop and common box fan will not fully take care of water damage issues. That's why it is very important to contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Society Hill for any water damage recovery.

Be Storm Prepared!

There are many different storm disasters that can strike when you're least prepared. Whether its a flood, hurricane, blizzard, or even wildfires, any of these can give no warning before they hit. The time to prepare for a disaster is not as it approaches, or even worse as its happening, the time is now! It does not matter where you live, you will be affected by a storm disaster at some point. When these occur SERVPRO of Society Hill is always ready to make it "Like it never even happened." Here are some tips and information to have you prepared.

Know your risk. These means understanding what types of weather can affect you based on where you live and your environment. Also check the forecast regularly, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Make sure your shelter plan includes all types of hazards.

Put together an emergency supply kit, and keep important valuables and papers in a safe dry place.

A few important items that should always be handy are: bottle water, non perishable food, flashlight, radio, first aid kit, extra clothing, and a whistle to signal for help are some of the necessities.

It's always best to be prepared, so use these tips to get ready for the next big storm!

Heating Your Home

With the nights getting colder, winter is fast approaching. Heating your home increases the chances of a fire starting. With the fireplaces and space heaters the number one and two way to start a fire in the winter. Here is some information about fireplaces and space heaters to prevent fires from starting.

FireplacesWinter is a notorious time for house fires and it is vital to have working fire alarms around the house to alert everyone, but one of the main culprits is faulty fireplaces. The best way to prevent a disaster is having a professional properly inspect it. If your flue or chimney are blocked by debris or contain cracks or leaks, inadequate venting can occur, and toxic fumes may seep into your home. An inspection lets you know that everything is in safe working order. Always make sure your fireplace is out and cooled before going to bed.

Space HeatersIn an effort to help cut energy costs or to accommodate roommates many people use space heaters. Space heaters are an excellent way to warm up cold rooms or provide extra heat. Space heaters can also be hazardous if not used properly. Never leave a space heater unattended especially when children and pets are around, and don’t place it near drapes, shades or bedding. If your heater is more than a few years old, replace it with a new model that has more current safety features such as tip-over protection. This way it shuts off automatically if it happens to fall over.

SERVPRO Society Hill wants everyone to take the right steps to prevent house fires from happening.

Mold Remediation vs. Mold Removal

Many people believe that mold remediation and mold removal mean the same thing however, they are different. Mold remediation is the removal and treatment of the mold, so mold does not regrow in the area. Mold removal is just the removal of mold. Mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours once water gets into your property. Mold spores flourish wherever there is moisture. These spores can rapidly grow into colonies when exposed to water. Sources of moisture or water must therefore be addressed before mold remediation can start, or else the mold may return. Mold remediation is something that SERVPRO Society Hill specialists in. When SERVPRO Society Hill goes out to a mold job, we want to make sure that all the mold is removed and treated properly so it doesn't come back.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Studies show that cooking is the main cause for most home fires and burn related injuries. With Thanksgiving being the busiest cooking day of the year. It's good to know some safety tips to have a safe, and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Never leave food that is cooking unattended, especially when frying or broiling food. The stove should be turned off if you must leave the kitchen

Keep anything that could easily catch fire a safe distance away from flames, or hot surfaces. Examples such as; potholders,towels of any material, paper or plastic bags, and wooden utensils.

Cooking surfaces should be kept clean to prevent grease buildup.

Always make sure to check the kitchen before leaving the home or going to bed. Check to see that all ovens, stoves and appliances are shut off and stored correctly.

Have a fire extinguisher near by, and know how to properly use it if needed. Also smoke alarms should be checked monthly to see if properly functioning.

SERVPRO of Society Hill wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!

Preventing Tree Hazards

Tree hazards should be a main focus for homeowners. Falling trees can cause major damage to houses. There are aspects to look for as a homeowner that will prevent tree hazards from happening. The first aspect is age. Tree age is important in hazard tree management. Every tree species has an inherent life span. Risk of failure increases with age. Another, aspect is the roots of the tree. Root integrity and health cannot be over emphasized. If the roots are damaged in any way, tree vitality and health are affected and the likelihood of failure increases. The probability of failure increases as the amount of the root damage increases. The final aspect is observing the trunk. If there is any fungi on the tree have it removed. Fungi can increase decaying of the bark and will increase the chance of a falling tree. These aspect will help to prevent trees from falling on top of houses. However, tree hazard are unpredictable. If a tree hazard was to happen to your home contact SERVPRO Society Hill for any tree hazards that happen.

Immediate Fire Restoration and why its Important

Fires can be a devastating when they occur. It is crucial though when a fire strikes that you get the restoration process started immediately. The longer that it is put off the harder and more repairs will be needed. This also means the price of repairs goes up as well. SERVPRO of Society Hill specializes in fire damage and restoration. Contacting us is the first step in getting the restoration underway. SERVPRO will try to save as many of your home and personal belongings that we can. Remember that safety comes first, so if there’s no way to safely gain access into your home, then stay out until SERVPRO professionals arrive. On arrival we perform a thorough cleanup using our industrial-grade products and equipment, such as dry cleaning soot sponges to remove loose soot and specialized vacuum filters to clean carpet and upholstery. Unfortunately fires happen, but when they do make sure you act quickly to get the damage cleaned up. SERVPRO of Society Hill takes fire damage and leaves it "Like it never even happened."